Method of treating galax leattes



Patented Aug. 12, 1924.

TRUMON N. WOODRUFF, OF LOWGAIP NORTH CAROLINA.

METHOD OF TREATING GALAX LEAVES.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that TRUMoN' N. WoonRUFr, a citizen of the United States, residin at Low ap, in the county of Surry and tate of orth Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Method of Treating Gala-x Leaves, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention appertains to means of dyeing and preserving foliage used for decorative purposes and the primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved. method by which the fresh galax leaf can be effectively dyed and preserved, so as to enhance the beauty thereof and to insure its longevity.

Before my discovery of the method of dyeing and preserving gal-ax leaves it was impossible to reserve galax leaves by the ordinary meth used in preparing and proserving of magnolia leaves, oak, beech and the like in view ,of the fact that the galax leaf was too tender and tended to shrink, dry out and become useless under the action of the chemicals used to preserve the same.

In the treatment of galax leaves there are two distinct phases of procedure, namely the dyeing of the leaves andsecond the preserving of the leaves.

The value and necessity of my invention is more readily apparent, when it is understood that the natural bronze and green galax leaves are extensively used by all florists in making funeral wreaths and that tens of thousands of leaves are used annually. Now the fresh leaves require a lot of time and attention, such as moisture, refrigeration and the like to kee them in condition for use by the fiorists. VIhen the leaves are treated by my improved process and method the above mentioned care of the leaves is entirely eliminated.

According to my invention I first place the galax leaves in a cement vat containing a solution of aniline dyes kept at a temperature of from 190 to 196 Fahrenheit. The

7 leaves are retained in the vat for approximately twenty minutes. The dye in the solution varies, but i s-added suflicient to produce the desired shade of color.

To every three hundred and ten gallons of the dye solution I add three pounds of common table salt, which causes the color to set, After the leaves. have been allowed Application filed May 14, 1923. Serial No. 639.021.

to remain in the vat the time stated, the same are removed and placed in the preserving solution.

In dyeing other foliage, it is customary to boil the same, and I entirely eliminate this step in view of the fact that the galax leaves are tender and will not stand a boiling temerature. Instead of the boiling operation substitute therefor table salt which, as stated, sets the dye and produces a darker color than the leaves would ordinarily take on without the boiling temperature.

In order to preserve the leaves I place the colored leaves in large vats containing a solution of calcium chloride to which I add a small quantit of slaked lime and glycerine. The speci c gravity of the solution va-. ries from 90 to 100.

In making the solution, I prefer to use three and one-eighth pounds of calcium chloride (granulated C. C. 75% pure) to each one gallon of water. There may be a slight variation according to temperature of the solution to make the desired gravity, but this is the average. Ten pounds of slaked lime is added to each six hundred gallons of solution, which counteracts the acidity of the same. One half pound of glycerine is added to each six hundred pounds of the solution.

The base of this solution can be used over and over again for a great many immersions, adding from time to time suflicient calcium chloride to keep up the specific gravity.

As far as I have been able to ascertain, the preservin solution for all other folia e conslsts of ch oride and water of a speci c gravity of 120 to 130.

Theleaves are left in the vats from seven to ten days, after which they are removed and will be in a perfect state of preservation.

The glycerine is placed in the preserving solution to give a gloss to the leaves, while 100 the lime sweetens the solution and prevents the solution from burni the galax leaves, which has been the tron le in preserving the tender galax leaves heretofore. Under certain conditions the lycerine can be omit- 105 ted, such as whena g css is not desired onthe leaves. a

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided a novel and simple means for preservinggalax, leaves, which 110 will ermi; the efiective dyeing and preservereo hanges in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention.

What I claim as new is: 1. The method of treating a which consists in first placing t e leaves in a dyeing solution containing table salt and then immersing the leaves-m a preserving compound.

2. The method of treating galax leaves which consists in immersin the leaves for twenty minutes in an aniline dye solution containing table salt and then immersing the leaves in a preserving solution.

3. The method of treating galax leaves which consists in dyeing the leaves and then immersing the leaves in a solution containing calcium chloride and slaked lime.

4:. The method of treating galax leaves which consists in first imimersing the leaves in a dyeing solution, second, immersing the leaves in a preservative solution containing calcium chloride, slaked lime and glycerine.

5. The method of treating galax leaves which consists in immersin the leaves in a dyein solution and secon immersing the dyed iaves in a preservative solution for seven days consisting of calcium chloride, water, slaked lime and glyoerine having a specific gravity of approximately 95.

6. The method of treating galax leaves consisting of immersing dyed leaves in a alax leaves calcium chloride solution containing slaked 7. The method of treating galax leaves consisting of immersin the leaves in a solution of calcium chlorlde, slaked lime and glycerine.

8. The method of preserving galax leaves consisting of soaking the leaves or approximately seven days in a solution containing calcium chloride, slaked lime and glylcerine havin 'aspecific vity of substantla Iy95. 9. The meth of dyein galax eav consist' of immersing t e leaves for twenty utes in a solution of aniline dye containing table salt.

10. A preservative compound for foliage used for decorative purposes consisting of calcium chloride, slaked lime and glycerine.

11. A preservative compound for foliage used for decorative purposes consisting of calcium chloride and slaked lime.

12. A preservative compound for foliage used for decorative urposes comprising water six hundred ga ons, calcium chloride one thousand eight hundred and seventy five pounds, slaked lime ten pounds and g1 cerine one half pound.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

TRUMON N. WOODRUFF.

Witnesses:

Gr. W. Tonn, H. M. Tom). 

